when we first set about trying to deceive ourselves.  We pondered the matter well, and could devise no means, that in our judgment, would be so likely to bring relief to our troubled minds, as to find that there were others who were as bad, or probably a little worse than ourselves.  We flattered ourselves, that while we were talking about the sins of others, we might forget our own; and at length be able to persuade ourselves that we were Christians.  But it was all of no avail.  Our consciences said “nay”—­the Bible said “nay.”  It was at this critical moment, that Uncle Tom’s Cabin came to our relief, and it settled the difficulty.  It proved to our satisfaction, that these Southern people were infinitely worse than ourselves.  We now found but little difficulty in persuading ourselves that we were really Christians.  We then had Southern men just where we had long been trying to place them.  We had nothing then to do, but to compare ourselves with them; and the result of the whole matter was, Mrs. Stowe had made them out so much worse than ourselves, that we were forced to the conclusion, that we were good Christians at last.

Mrs. Stowe was a shrewd Yankee woman, and seeing the difficulties and embarrassments in which we were involved, and being in need of a little money, and knowing that we were willing to pay almost any price for something that would flatter ourselves, and blacken the characters of Southern people; she wrote her book.  We received it with transports of joy, and cried aloud at the top of our voices, HUZZA FOR MADAM STOWE, and her incomparable negro novel; viz., Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or Life among the Lowly.  And so we go, in England and America!  This is a marvelous world, and it is inhabited by a wondrous species of animals, called man!

The conclusion of the whole matter is, abolitionism is little else at last, but hypocritical self-righteous phariseism, and Mrs. Stowe wrote her book to flatter their pride, indulge their whims, tickle their fancies, and pick their pockets.  I have remarked, that this is a marvelous world, and among the many wondrous things that fall under our observation, there is nothing more remarkable than Yankee ingenuity!  The Southern people, it is true, receive the proceeds of the labor of the slaves, but then, they must first expend money in raising them; feed and clothe them in health, nurse them in sickness, and provide for them in old age.  But Mrs. Stowe without contributing anything for their support, has made more money out of them within the last year, than any half dozen sugar planters in the State of Louisiana!  This is truly a wondrous speculation in negroes.

“But all their works they do,” (says our Saviour,) “to be seen of men.”  “But God shall bring every work into judgment.”  And if our motives are selfish, or impure, we incur the risk of falling under the condemnation of a just and holy God.  Too many “make clean the outside of the cup and platter, but within, they are full of extortion and excess.”